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Perceptual Resonators for Interactive Worlds

The simulation of sounds in an interactive world requires efficient and flexible algorithms, so that a potentially large number of different sounds can be generated simultaneously, in real-time. Diffuse resonators, such as wooden doors, pose a particular challenge because conventional delay-feedback based methods of simulation are relatively computationally expensive. A perceptual resonator is presented here as an alternative. In this the perceptually relevant characteristics of a resonator are simulated rather than all the low-level acoustics, gaining efficiency and control at the expense of some loss of detail, and strict linearity. As a by-product, the resonator forms an interesting tool for perceptual investigation.